The meeting begins on a false rhythm, with the 76ers struggling offensively for several minutes (4/14 on shots). The holders of the Wizards are them rather sharp, like a Kyle Kuzma quickly to 6 points and 3 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey, in the continuity of his excellent against Memphis on Monday, finally wakes up his team and brings a little life to Philly’s game. The young point guard compiled 12 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in the first quarter and the 76ers were neck and neck with the Wizards after 12 minutes (29-28).
But the 76ers are fragile in this first half and collect a first significant “run” at the start of the second quarter: a 14-6 which increases the gap to +9 (43-34). After a quick time-out, Doc Rivers sends Joel Embiid back on the pitch to get his troops back on track. A good choice since the Cameroonian, author of only 2 points at 1/6 during the first quarter, increases in power throughout the second quarter. In its tracks, the 76ers stick a 16-10 to the Wizards to pick up at -3 (53-50), and the locals finally limit the damage at the break (59-54) despite Kyle Kuzma’s heat stroke (17 points at halftime).
Returning from the locker room, Joel Embiid takes matters into his own hands. After missing his start to the first half, the pivot made sure not to miss the start of the second: he scored 8 consecutive points as part of a 10-2 iNFLicted by the 76ers, who returned to the lead. (64-61). The rest of the third quarter is a laborious crossover between the two teams, which offer a poor quality offensive show: 8/21 for the Wizards, 9/22 for the 76ers.
Everything is therefore decided in the fourth quarter, and the first minutes are very long. The offensive misery of the third quarter drags on: the two teams accumulate 11 points in six minutes, and the respective coaches therefore send their holders back to the floor. The 76ers first think they have tipped the “momentum” in their favor when Joel Embiid chained basket with the fault then decisive pass to validate a 10-0 (93-88). Except that Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell respond and replace the Wizards in the lead two minutes from the final buzzer (102-98). Despite a final award-winning shot from Danny Green, the 76ers are too short and bow after several passages from their opponents on free throws (106-103).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The Wizards saved by their bench, who scored 53 of the team’s 106 points, exactly half. For the 76ers, it’s the opposite since the substitutes have scored only 27 of 103 points, and that may be where the game is being played. The holders were there, but the contribution of the substitutes made the difference for the men of the capital.
The 76ers too shy of rebounds. Despite the presence of two rebound gluttons, Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond, the 76ers were largely dominated in this area: 52 to 41 in favor of the Wizards. So many more second chance opportunities for Kyle Kuzma and others.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kyle Kuzma. Regular throughout the game, the strong winger was the metronome of the Wizards during a chaotic evening on the offensive level. He finished with 24 points (10/19), including a decisive shot in the “money-time”, and added 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. In the absence of Bradley Beal, “Kuz” holds the house in attack.
✅ Montrezl Harrell. The pivot was preferred to Daniel Gafford in the “money-time” and he assured, in particular with several important baskets to keep the Wizards in the game. He had 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists and an effective 7/10 on shots.
✅ Tyrese Maxey. After a gigantic performance against the Grizzlies on Monday, the 76ers point guard confirmed with 22 points (9/16), including 12 in the first quarter, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Only in his second year, he asserts himself match after match as Joel Embiid’s lieutenant.
✅ Joel Embiid, exactly. Despite a significant number of waste shots (11/27), the Philly pivot kept his team in the game, in particular thanks to his heat stroke at the start of the third quarter. He signs a double-double (27 points and 14 rebounds), but also 6 assists, mainly from the low post, where he almost always suffers a double-take.
✅ isaiah joe. Nice game from the former Arkansas college back. In the absence of Seth Curry, he was entitled to 25 minutes and shone with his main weapon, the outside shot: 11 points at 3/5 behind the arc. Still limited in the creation of his shot, and a little soft in defense, he nevertheless appears as an interesting solution off the bench when Doc Rivers is looking for “spacing”.
⛔️ The second half. Needless to point the finger at a particular player as everyone is responsible for this second half of poor quality. After a catastrophic third quarter (41% on shots for Philly, 40% for Washington), the two teams took almost six minutes in the last act to find some inspiration. After a rhythmic first half, the 76ers and Wizards lost their footing after the break.
THE FOLLOWING
Philadelphia (31-20): trip to Dallas on Thursday
Washington (24-27): Saturday, perilous reception of the Suns
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